I'm back with another Weekend Mini-Make: a quick craft you can complete over the weekend for less than a tenner. And even better than that, all my mini-makes are designed to be something beginners can try their hand at, whilst also being a relaxing, well-being boost. As I've mentioned before, I regularly turn to DIY and crafting when times get hard, so for me, having a creative outlet has become a vital part of my everyday life. I hope that these simple, cheap crafting ideas will inspire others to have a go, and see if it can make big changes in their life too.
This week I've tried my hand at something a bit different and slightly more practical than my previous makes! In our small kitchen I've got a really tricky corner I've always struggled with. The breakfast bar is constantly stacked with junk, and there's a lot of lost space in the corner which I've never worked out exactly what to do with. However, hiding that ugly tumble dryer is something I can have a go at, so this week I've turned my hand to making a curtain.
You will need:
Fabric - I turned to good old eBay again, and found this pretty striped linen fabric for just £8.20 a metre, which was exactly the right size.
Net curtain wire - I chose to hang my curtain with wire rather than a pole, as this was easier to hang. I found some measuring 90cm, again on eBay, for just £1.70.
Hook & eyes - You'll need these to attach the wire to the worktop or wall. Mine were included with my curtain wire, so check yours before you order.
Sewing machine - however there are loads of ways you can make a curtain without any sewing, such as hemming tape or fabric glue.
Cotton
Tape measure
Drill to fix (depending on your worktop/wall)
Total spend: £9.90
How to make:
Start by measuring your space. I decided I wanted to hang the curtain right up to the corner of the breakfast bar, to hide the bin/random junk, which was 90cm wide. I then measured from the floor to the worktop, remembering to add a few cm on to allow for hemming and a pocket for the wire. I added 10cm on to my measurement, and ordered a metre of fabric, which was exactly the right size.
I then hemmed off each of the sides of the fabric to prevent it fraying, and sewed around the edge using a sewing machine. You could absolutely use hemming tape or fabric glue though, or simply hand-stitch with needle and thread.
At the top of the curtain you'll need to make a small pocket to hold the wire in place. Fold the top 5cm of fabric over and pin in place. Sew along to create the opening, and check there's enough space for the wire to slide in before you start sewing.
Once you're finished with the sewing, slide the wire into the curtain and you're ready to hang!
Tip: The wire is really tough and so very difficult to cut. If you don't have some super strong wire cutters (mine couldn't handle it at all!) then try and buy wire as close to the exact size you need as possible.
You'll then need to attach the hooks underneath the worktop, for which you'll probably need a drill. Fix the hooks into the worktop, and then hang the curtain using the eyes. I popped three hooks all the way along the length of the curtain, to make sure the curtain hung as close to the worktop as possible, however you might find that you can pull your wire tighter than I did!
And you're all done! I mean its never going to be my dream utility room in here, but looks so much better, don't you think?
Hope you enjoyed this quick and simple DIY - let me know if you make one, I'd love to see! And I'll be back next week with another quick craft perfect for completing over the weekend.
Thanks for reading,
Sam Xx
You will need:
Fabric - I turned to good old eBay again, and found this pretty striped linen fabric for just £8.20 a metre, which was exactly the right size.
Net curtain wire - I chose to hang my curtain with wire rather than a pole, as this was easier to hang. I found some measuring 90cm, again on eBay, for just £1.70.
Hook & eyes - You'll need these to attach the wire to the worktop or wall. Mine were included with my curtain wire, so check yours before you order.
Sewing machine - however there are loads of ways you can make a curtain without any sewing, such as hemming tape or fabric glue.
Cotton
Tape measure
Drill to fix (depending on your worktop/wall)
Total spend: £9.90
How to make:
Start by measuring your space. I decided I wanted to hang the curtain right up to the corner of the breakfast bar, to hide the bin/random junk, which was 90cm wide. I then measured from the floor to the worktop, remembering to add a few cm on to allow for hemming and a pocket for the wire. I added 10cm on to my measurement, and ordered a metre of fabric, which was exactly the right size.
I then hemmed off each of the sides of the fabric to prevent it fraying, and sewed around the edge using a sewing machine. You could absolutely use hemming tape or fabric glue though, or simply hand-stitch with needle and thread.
At the top of the curtain you'll need to make a small pocket to hold the wire in place. Fold the top 5cm of fabric over and pin in place. Sew along to create the opening, and check there's enough space for the wire to slide in before you start sewing.
Once you're finished with the sewing, slide the wire into the curtain and you're ready to hang!
Tip: The wire is really tough and so very difficult to cut. If you don't have some super strong wire cutters (mine couldn't handle it at all!) then try and buy wire as close to the exact size you need as possible.
You'll then need to attach the hooks underneath the worktop, for which you'll probably need a drill. Fix the hooks into the worktop, and then hang the curtain using the eyes. I popped three hooks all the way along the length of the curtain, to make sure the curtain hung as close to the worktop as possible, however you might find that you can pull your wire tighter than I did!
And you're all done! I mean its never going to be my dream utility room in here, but looks so much better, don't you think?
Hope you enjoyed this quick and simple DIY - let me know if you make one, I'd love to see! And I'll be back next week with another quick craft perfect for completing over the weekend.
Thanks for reading,
Sam Xx
You are a God send Sam. You have given me the inspiration to get off my butt and get cracking with disguising my appliances in my utility room. I had the very idea in my head that you had even with the style of material as well. Can you advice me on where to get ticking style material on line please? x
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